BLR Fianlly got it to shoot right - whew

[strut64]

I bought a new BLR in 308 and put a leo vxII in 3-9 and thought now I have the ultimate deer rig.  Up close - 250 yds matters not this can do it all in fact good for virtually anything in the woods.  Got it in April and could barely keep it on paper.  Found out the following things - It likes bullets of 150 or less.  It likes flat based spitzers.  it does not shoot when the barrel is overheated at all.  adn my old O Haus 10-10 scale was belly up.  After 35 years - the Thing would weigh a bullet consistenly much less powder.

Fianlly got less than 1" groups with plain horn 150 SpP and W748.!!! $ months to sort it all out

[leverfan]

W748 has always been one of my favorite powders for the 308, from rifles to Encore handguns, but be careful if you're hunting in an area that's prone to temperature extremes.  W748, in my experience, doesn't react well to changes in temperature, and I quit using it in my .308 Model 88 when it made the lever just a little sticky to open when shooting in hot weather.  Modern rifle deer season in western Washington means that the temps can be anywhere between freezing and 85 degrees, sometimes on the same day.  W748 just wasn't consistent over that spread, even with less than maximum loads.  It does give great velocities, though, easily breaking 2600 fps from a 15" Encore barrel with 150 grain bullets.  If you work up your loads and test them on hot days, they'll be safe, but the velocity may change when you go out on a cold day, maybe more than you'd expect.

[strut64]

The success after several weeks of struggling was a real weight off my shoulders since I had over 600 bucks plus scope mounts, dies, etc.  I think the problems in order of magnitude were; too rapid shooting causing heating,  then bullet type.  the scale problem was a real twister too.  I think there were 2 other powders with promise - IMR 4064 and Varget.  I may go gack and look at them.  W748 is somewhat norotius for the temperature effect and greasy residue.  The gun seems to also have a very tight chamber - I may need small base dies as well.   But given the weight and overall length the gun should sbe very effective for what it was designed for.

[Blackhawk44]

First, be sure that forearm hanger is good and tight.  My BLR has alway loved 4064 and 150gr bullets.  Hates 3031 and 4895.  Varget is a near duplicate of 4064 and insensitive to temperature change, but never tried it since 4064 worked so well.  Boattails take up precious powder space you don't have and don't help trajectory until you get to 400yds (with a 308?)anyway.   Trimmed brass and careful overall length are BLR factors also.

[ragdude]

Have you shot any factory loads? How did it handle these?

[Blackhawk44]

Now that you make me think of it, I can't remember ever dropping a single factory round in that .308 in the 32 years I've used it.  Some folks have given me a few, but they are all still on the shelf.  Never had call to use any, since I usually keep two 60 round boxes of handloads ready to throw in the truck.  Sorry, can't help there.  When working up handloads, you'll find the BLR more sensitive to the pressure curve rather than the absolute peak pressure.

[Blackhawk44]

Sorry.  I was interupted.  Beacause they build pressure at a more gradual rate, powders like 4064, RL15 and Varget are more compatible with the BLR's weaker extraction ability.  3031, 4895 and such will seem to peak quickly and give the impression of higher pressures than actually exists.  They will show this trait long before reaching near standard velocities.   A chonograph is the true way to follow these trends in the BLR.

[Lee]

My used BLR 308 has never been a problem in 11 years using both
150, 180, and also 165 gr factory ammo.

I have heard that new weatherbys are not accurate until at least 200 rounds have been put through them, possibly same with your BLR and it was not really a problem with the bullet weight.

Good luck with the BLR, my 308 has been a great rifle,  I would e mail the factory if my results did not improve with more shooting.